With estimates for a water-source heat pump system coming in much higher than expected, Lehighton Area School District is prepared to go back to step one in preparing its heating, ventilation and air conditioning plans at its middle and high schools.

Board member Larry Stern made a motion, which was approved 5-4, during a workshop session Monday night to get estimates from other vendors who could provide guaranteed energy savings via an Energy Service Company, or ESCO, project.The move seemed to shock the four dissenters, William Hill, Rocky Ahner, Lori Nothstein and Hal Resh, as the district has been working with Trane Comprehensive Solutions on the projects for over a year.Joining Stern in passing the motion were Wayne Wentz, Gloria Bowman, Andrew Yenser and Stephen Holland."I just want to make sure we're doing our due diligence in making sure we are getting the best bang for our buck," Stern said."You just got the best for your money," Hill retorted, referring to Trane.The two continued to shout over the top of each other until Bowman called for order.Earlier in the meeting, John Linn, a Trane spokesman, told the district that installation of a water-source heat pump system at both buildings would cost $11.5 million and monthly energy payments would actually increase by $46,000 a year for 20 years.Switching to a four-pipe chiller boiler system, however, would cost $7.9 million to install, but annual energy payments would decrease by $73,000 for 20 years."It takes into account a lot of things," Linn told the board, regarding the price disparity. "Some of it is the complexity of the buildings and it would take a lot more to install a water-source heat pump system. Some of it is that you're getting electricity from Lehighton Borough, which costs more than if you could go on the open market. A heat pump system shifts the usage to the electric side, which is the most expensive utility."Part of the project would also be adding air conditioning at the middle school."We were pitching a water-source heat pump system because we didn't know any better," Hill said. "Trane came back and said it's a poor design for Lehighton. I concur with that. A four-pipe system is a better situation for us."Superintendent Jonathan Cleaver said several types of systems had been discussed, including geothermal, which was ruled out early in the process."I feel like I'm being made to look bad by saying other options weren't discussed," he said. "This has absolutely been discussed."Cleaver also pointed out that an estimate from Trane, when the design of the HVAC system was 75 percent complete, indicated the district would save $750,000 in operational costs with a water-source heat pump system."Trane, however, said it never indicated that was the final determination.Yenser questioned why it took the company a year to determine Lehighton was pursuing the wrong energy system."We have been trying to do everything we can," Linn said. "We just got a final design on June 11. We dug in. You guys are looking for a guarantee from us. We can't throw darts. We can't throw a wing and a prayer. If you're noticing some frustration in my voice, that is accurate."Linn said he would have estimated costs and energy savings for a four-pipe system when the board meets on Aug. 17, which will be the third of three workshops this month.Stadium moves forwardIn other action Monday, the board, by an 8-1 vote, approved paying $116,597 to Lehighton Borough for the permit and building fee related to the district's multipurpose athletic stadium project.Cleaver said while the district is paying the amount, it intends to get reimbursed from the contractor."We have a 10 percent hold on the entire project and we also withheld the first payment on the project as we to try to get this worked out rapidly," he added.Hill cast the lone no vote, saying the district is essentially being held hostage because permits will be pulled and work stopped at the site if the money isn't paid."It doesn't have to be approved tonight, but the entire project would be held up," said attorney Eric Filer, who was sitting in for regular district solicitor William Schwab.In voting for the measure, Ahner said he didn't mind moving the project forward, but hoped for a quick repayment."We have to eliminate these things as we move into other projects," he said.In the lone personnel move on the agenda, the board unanimously approved Amanda Kincaid as a 10-month secretary at Lehighton High School at a salary of $17,276 per the collective bargaining agreement.